GuitarDistortedRiff
Verse Chorus Verse (Outtake) Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Nirvana
Nirvana · 1990s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Fender Stratocaster (likely Japanese or Mexican, with Seymour Duncan JB bridge humbucker mod)
Pickups
Seymour Duncan JB (bridge humbucker), stock single coils (middle/neck)
Amp
Mesa/Boogie Studio Preamp → Crown Power Base 2 power amp → Marshall 4x12 cabinets
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup (Seymour Duncan JB humbucker)
Studio recording, 1991 Nevermind sessions; gear inferred from session documentation and interviews. No evidence of live-specific gear for this outtake. Guitar modded with Seymour Duncan JB in bridge. Used Boss DS-1 for distortion. No evidence of chorus or delay in the riff section for this song.
Amp Settings
Mids6.5
Bass6
Gain7
Reverb1.5
Treble7
Presence5.5
Effects Chain
- Boss DS-1 Distortion · distortion
Guitar (Strat w/ JB bridge) → Boss DS-1 Distortion → Mesa/Boogie Studio Preamp → Crown Power Base 2 → Marshall 4x12
Tone Matcher
Match This Tone to Your Gear
Tell us your guitar and amp — we’ll calculate the exact settings translated to your specific rig.
7-day free trial · Cancel anytime.
Tone Character
- aggressive and saturated
- tight and punchy
- mid-heavy and cutting
- raw, unpolished grunge
- percussive palm muting
- focused attack from bridge humbucker
- minimal ambience
- dynamic and loud
- slightly compressed from pedal
- no modulation or delay in riff